The academy requires 12,000 total credits for a student to advance to the upper institute, an absolute condition for becoming a Magia Vander. Sion, Colette, Julius, and others defeat a golem using their magic. However, Will struggles to do the same.
Later, Colette talks with Will while eating. She mentions the odds of winning this year’s Sky Race, having already given up on it to focus on the Dual Duel. She advises Will to aim for getting scouted at the Grand Magic Festival. Colette explains about the rumor that the elf faction is priortizing those well, advancing to the upper institute on writing and praxis alone, but she finds it unrealistic. She notes that elves tend to associate only with other elves, making it uncertain. Even with fewer than 7,200 credits, she plans to make up for her writing lesson mistakes, citing a precedent of a student being scouted and ascending the tower on the spot.
Will agrees but points out that during the Grand Magic Festival, everyone tries to turn things around with one shot, making it a fierce competition.
The festival, held every two years by Rigarden Magical Academy, includes various competitions where high mages scout talents. It essentially serves as a contest between students from different tower factions, deciding advancement to the tower. The factions are:
The Lightning Lord’s Wand (Thorzeus Fasce)
The Sacred Elf’s Wand (Elleaf Caanan)
The Flame Emperor’s Wand (Incindia Barham)
The Icemaiden’s Wand (Albis Vina)
Masterias Noah, the current Magia Vander, leads these four major factions.
Colette tells Will that if one of these factions chooses him, his admittance as a tower member will be assured. Will responds that skipping graduation requirements to go straight to the tower rarely happens. He would need to perform magic that outshines a high mage’s abilities. Colette counters, saying that watchers appear at the Grand Magic Festival to recruit outstanding talents. Will dismisses this, calling it one of the academy’s seven legends. He believes a no-talent shouldn’t try to stand out and prefers to work behind the scenes.
Later, when Will and Colette are in the locker room, Colette notices a hidden barrier inside a locker. Kiki unlocks it, and they enter, discovering an underground gambling operation with many people. Since the professors never come near the lockers, the gamblers have set up their operation here.
After school, Will goes to work at Miss Gina’s tavern. He also delivers newspapers in the morning. If he doesn’t work, he won’t be able to pay his tuition. He’s not eligible for a scholarship, so even though he is a student, he also works. Will will work at Miss Gina’s tavern tonight, and his friend Rosty is also helping him. Dwarves always come there to drink alcohol. Long ago, when the dwarves’ world was destroyed by the Celestial Host, they escaped to this world.
Will and the dwarves have a great bond. Will likes them; they are hearty people to him and always welcome him warmly. He respects them. Then Julius comes into the tavern to drink and eat. He insults the dwarves badly.
Will stands up for them and tells him to take back his insults. Julius’s two friends come to him, but Will beats them badly. Then Julius and Will start to fight each other. However, Julius doesn’t hurt him and tells him to join the Grand Magic Festival, wanting to humiliate him in front of everyone. Will says he’ll enter the Grand Magic Festival, but if he wins, Julius has to apologize to the dwarves.
Review
This episode was excellent, showcasing Will’s serious side. The soundtrack and animation were perfect. We also get to know the dwarves and other characters well. I’m excited for the next episode, especially the upcoming Grand Magic Festival.